Herbs as an alternative to conventional medicines.

PLEASE NOTE: This information is from mashvet.com and is not intended to replace your own veterinarian’s advice. Also please be aware that while dogs and cats may be fine with some of the herbs, SOME MAY BE TOXIC TO HORSES !! Also, some herbs may ‘test positive’ as well as are gender specific.

With the success of the health food industry and stores like Whole Foods, the access to herbs in either a tincture, fresh, bulk or in capsules is available.

Alternatives

Herbs that gradually alter an existing condition in the body by strengthening or stimulating various systems and eliminating waste from the bloodstream. For skin and coat disorders, rheumatoid conditions, cancer, and other disorders where the body may benefit from improved elimination of toxic excess and systemic waste.

Alfalfa ((Medicago sativa) Arthritis, blood disorders

Burdock ((Articum lappa) Seborrhea, pyoderma rheumatoid diseases

Red Clover( (Trifolium protense) Tumors, blood disorders

Gotu Kola (Centella asastica)) Dermatitis

Garlic (Allium Sativum) Stimulates the immune system,anticancer

Ashwaganda (Withania somnifers)  ) Tumors

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Uterine tumors

Anti-inflammatories

Herbs that reduce inflammation

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)A general anti-inflammatory for skin conditions and arthritis

Oregon grape ((Mahonia aquifolium)) Reduces inflammation of the eyes mouth, skin and other mucus membranes.

Devils Claw ((Harpagophytum procumbens)) Arthritis and general uses

Yucca ((Yucca schidgera) Joint Inflammation

Turmeric ((Curcuma longa) antiarthritic, antiflammatory in mucus membranes

Willow ((Salix spp))    post surgical ,pain arthritis, connective tissue inflammation

Antimicrobials

Herbs that inhibit reproduction and growth of harmful bacteria, fungi or protozoa

Echinacea (Echinacea spp) Especially for urinary and respiratory

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) General purpose eyes nose ear throat digestive and urinary

Calendula Mouth and skin

Sage (Salvia offincinalis)   ) mouth and skin, gingivitis

Marshmallow (Althea offincinali)  ) Low grade infections of the urinary tract soothing

Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) External wounds digestive respiratory and urinary tract infections

Lavender (L. angustifolia) good for skin,pain itching and flea bites

Garlic (Allium Sativum) Antibacterial, antiviral antifungal

Astringents

Herbs that reduce inflammation of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, treat irritable bowel and colic and tonify smooth muscles of the urinary tract and uterus.

Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) conjunctivitis, dermatitis, uterine tonic

Nettle (Utica spp)conjunctivitis,dermatitis

Plantain (Plantago major) Dermatitis gastrointestinal or urinary inflammation

Slippery elm (Ulmas fulva) GI or urinary inflammation

Comfrey (Symphytum Offcinale) Skin ,digerstive tract,respiratory

Gentian (Gentiana lutea ) Stimulates bile production and salivation

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana  ) Skin swelling

Cardiovascular Tonics

Herbs that strengthen the physical integrity of the heart and blood vessels, moderate blood pressure and increase circulation.

Hawthorn (Crategus spp) strengthens cardiac output, moderated blood  pressure and increases circulation throughout the body

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Improves circulation in the brain, extremities and kidneys

Cayenne (Capsicum) Improves peripheral circulation and joint circulation

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Improves circulation and strengthens vessel structure in the extremities

Garlic (Allium Sativum)

Carminatives

Herbs that help relieve intestinal gas and indigestion and are antispasmodic to the intestinal tract.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Dyspepsia, flatulence, colic

Dill (Anethum graveoles) Dyspepsia, flatulence, colic

Peppermint (menthe piperita) Dyspepsia, flatulence, colic

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Dyspepsia, flatulence, colic

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Expels internal gas,stimulant

Demulcents

Herbs that provide a protective barrier in the digestive and urinary tracts for the passage of wastes and to help relieve irritation of mucous membranes

Marshmallow (Althea offincinali ) Respiratory, digestive and urinary irritations

Plantain (Plantago major) Respiratory, digestive and urinary irritations

Slippery elm (Ulmas fulva) Respiratory, digestive and urinary irritations

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba    ) Respiratory, digestive and urinary irritations

Diuretics

Herbs that stimulate diuresis in kidney disorders and water retention problems and help eliminate excess waste and superfluous materials from the body and urinary tract.

Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale ) the strongest herbal diuretic available

Corn Silk (Zea mays) For calculi

Parsley (petroselinum crispum) diuretic,antimicrobial

Uva-ursi (Arctostapylos uva ursi) recurrent cystitis,prostatitis,urinary antiseptic

Shepherds Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Especially good for water retention secondary to rheumatoid condition

Cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpa) reduces bacterial adherence, prevention UTI

Couch Grass (Agropyron repens) urinary antiseptic,cystitis

Gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum) urinary calculus, cystitis,prostatitis

Saw palmetto (serenoa repens) prostatitis  calculi

Varuna (Crataeva marvala) antiurolithic,antimicrobial bladder tone

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) diuretic, antiflammmatory, astringent

Juniper (Juniper communis) diuretic ,cystitis, antiseptic, hepatoprotective

Kidney support

Herbs that help protect the kidney

Nettle seed (Urtica dioica)

Couch grass (Agropyron repens) broad spectrum antibiotic activity,acts as diuretic

Goldenrod (solidago spp) nephritic, strengthens kidney function

Immunotonics

Herbs that stimulate and support the immune system function

Echinacea (Echinacea spp) For early onset of bacterial or viral infections

Astragalus (Astragulas membranaceous) For bacterial and viral and good for weak functioning immune system.

Garlic (Allium Sativum)

Lymphatics

Herbs that assist with lymph production and circulation: drain an heal lymph-engorged tissues and masses (tumors,cysts,ulcers) useful in the systemic treatment of chronic dermatitis

Cleavers (Galium aparine) Digestive and urinary cysts, ulcers

Red clover (Trifolium protense) Cyst and tumors of the skin, swollen lymph nodes

Nervines and sedatives

Herbs that suppress or moderate nervous tension and anxiety or that moderate or suppress activity in higher brain centers

Skullcap (scutellaria spp) For jittery anxiety: to help reduce severity of seizures; to relieve pain

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) For acute anxiety and hyperactivity; to help reduce severity if seizures; to relieve pain

Passionflower (passiflora incarnate) A relaxing mood elevator; for fear, for post traumatic depression, and as a good alternative for animals who unfavorably to valerian

St John’s wort (Hypericum spp) For nerve injuries

Oat straw (Avena sativa) An especially good nervous tonic for older animal

Lavender (L. angustifolia) As an aroma therapy to relax

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) sedative ,anticonvulsive ,hypnotic

Nutritives

Herbs that lend rich nutritional values especially good for anemia and minerals deficiencies

Nettle (Utica spp) Broad-spectrum minerals, vitamin, and protein

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Broad-spectrum minerals, vitamin, and protein

Flaxseed (Linum) Rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acid EFAs

Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale ) Broad-spectrum minerals especially potassium, vitamins and protein

Spirulina (Spirulina spp) tonic, helps with blood cleansing

Vulneraries

Herbs that promote healing , internally or externally

Aloe vera (Aloe spp) Externally for  burns wound dermatitis internally for ulcers

Arnica (Arnica spp ) For external treatment of closed-tissue injuries only

Comfrey (Symphytum officinales) For external use on open and closed-tissue injuries

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) For dermatitis burns and wounds

St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) For crushing soft tissue injuries and any type of trauma where nerve damage is evident

Herbs that Help Reduce Parasites

Garlic (Allium Sativum) Repelling of Fleas and Mosquitos, Expels worms

Wormwood (Artemesia absinthum) Expels worms

Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) Insect repellant, expels worms

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) Flea prevention

Fleabane (Conyza canadensis) Flea repellant

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) Flea repellant

Oregano (Oreganum vulgare) Expell parasites

Feverfew (Tanacetun parthenium) Contains pyrethrins use topically

Herbs that Help the Respiratory Tract

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) Reduces inflammation of respiratory mucosa

Herbs that act as Laxatives

Senna (Cassia Angustifolia) Powerful cathartic

Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) Strong laxative

Aloe (aloe spp)

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)

Linseed oil

Castor oil

Herbs that support Liver health

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) stimulates bile production, strengthen liver function

Milk Thistle (Cardii marianus) antioxidant inhibits lipid peroxidation of hepatic microsomes, enhances immune functions, increases bile secretions,decreases prostaglandins synthesis,may orevent and treat gallstones,protects liver from hepatotoxins

Astragulas (Astragalus membranaceus) immune function

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) inhibits endotoxins,cholagogue, increases bilirubin excretion

Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium)

Dandelion (Taraxacum offiiciale) contains choline,stimulates digestion and biliary function, liver tonic

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus  ) antihepatotoxic, jaundice, hepatic insufficiency

References

1 Tilford, Gregory and Mary L. Wulff- Tilford   All you Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets, Irvine California: BowTie Press 1999.

Conference Notes from  2005 Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association Spring Symposium  Renewing the Spirit of Plant medicine

Barbara Fougere notes  Small animal GIT Diseases Part 1+2 Materia Medica for the GI tract